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Nepal-China border talks inconclusive
A meeting between Nepal and China on opening more border points between the two countries ended inconclusively on Wednesday.A meeting between Nepal and China on opening more border points between the two countries ended inconclusively on Wednesday.
The meeting discussed on a proposal to open up 13 border points to ease the connectivity between the two countries.
“We could not reach any agreement with China,” said a senior Nepali official, requesting anonimity.
The Chinese side had indicated that they were positive towards opening three border points in east of Nepal, the official said, but “they backtracked on it during the meeting, making it impossible to reach any agreement”.
The Nepali side had proposed opening up nine more border points with China at a time when a agreement is already there to open up four border points.
Earlier, Nepal and China had agreed to open border points at Yari, Kerung, Olangchungola and Tatopani. The Tatopani crossing has been closed since the Gorkha Earthquake in April 2015. esides, Nepal also tabled a proposal on opening the border at nine more points, including Hilsa, Korola, Dolpa, Darchula, Taklakot, Olangchungola and Kimathanka.
The Road and Transpiration Agreement reached between the two countries in 1994 allows the two sides to reach some kind of understanding on the matter.
The agreement facilitates opening up border points, movement of people and in some special cases, Nepal can use the Chinese highways for trade in certain parts that are not linked with road connectivity from the Nepali side.
Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation Saroj Pradhan had led the Nepali team in the meeting.